What precautions are uppermost in your mind when you wheel out your classic for the summer? Too few consider what they will do in the event of a breakdown, say the experts.

Classic car owners could be gambling with their safety by failing to ensure that they are covered in the event of a breakdown.

Only about seven per cent of 5,400 owners surveyed felt that breakdown assistance – sometimes included in insurance cover – was a top priority for them, compared with 29 per cent who said they wouldn't leave home without a phone and 18 per cent who consider packing a tool kit to be the most important factor.

In the survey by insurer Footman James, 17 per cent of classic car enthusiasts said that they didn't have any breakdown cover, while another three per cent weren't sure whether or not they were covered.

The company's managing director Paul Matthews said: "As many classic vehicles will have been in hibernation prior to the touring season, it becomes increasingly important that owners have the right levels of breakdown cover in place should the unthinkable happen. While it might be tempting for owners to fix minor problems themselves, breakdowns often require expert assistance to get the vehicle safely back on the road.

"Every year between May and September, we see a high increase in calls from touring customers who find themselves relying on breakdown cover to get them back on track. Footman James automatically includes breakdown cover in all EU countries, but it's always best for drivers to check policies with their insurance provider."